Still on "Vacation"

[For some reason, many people have thought that this litle fellow is a girl. Maybe the pink plastic crucifix?]

Vacation is only fun if you don't actually have to work. Unfortunately, JK is working (or "tele-working") from Austria for part of our trip. That means that he hasn't slept much the last few days. Saturday we left Kaernten for Vienna by way of another spa. In Vienna we fist stayed at the apartment of a friend's aunt. (Thank-you!!) Their apartment was located in the 16th district around the corner from the Ottakringer Brewery, so the air was filled with the surprisingly pleasant smell of roasted hops. (A few blocks further is the Manner chocolate factory, and the aroma of chocolate is quite heady.) The very nice couple had a 12 year old son who fascinated JT. He had a globe that lit up! He had little cars! We got to sleep in his room!

Then, Monday and Tuesday evening we headed over to our friend's place, an academic couple expecting a baby in August (we also thank-you, too!!!). Monday evening, we were invited to another friend's place, and there we were drinking Turkish tea in the living room while JK sat in the corner typing on their computer, occasionally joining in the conversation, and watching JT play 'ring around the rosie' with their 2 year old daughter.

This was followed by a midnight work call from another temporary office - the rental car. The following night he enjoyed Koenigsberger Klopse (meatballs in a caper-lemon-cream sauce) until working into the wee hours of the morning in our friend's amazing apartment - decorated in jewel tones, filled with books and all sorts of interesting items for JT to find (he particularly liked the juggling balls, a stuffed rhino, and the baby bassinet). The only difficulty of the apartment - it is on the 4th floor without an elevator. JT claimed he didn't like the steps and preferred not to have them at his "apartment." The steps do have character, however, and offer a daily workout!

The last morning it was raining, and in true San Diego fashion, I only had flip flops and no rain jacket or umbrella. Plus, the rain meant it was quite chilly. The weather has been up and down this whole trip. We've decided that there are only a select few days per year in Austria when the weather is absolutely perfect. Or perhaps there are some days with some perfect hours, as well. In any case, on the way out of town, we stopped at one of our favorite Beisl's (Viennese eateries), Schilling, and nearby were several "exotic markets" that I just had to photograph.

The evening was spent in Graz with several of JK's university buddies. (Thank-you, "Joki"!)Which reminds me, several people (not the University friends) asked about Schwanzenegger (who hails from the Graz are), who apparently lost quite a few fans in Austria when he did not speak out against the death penalty.

The next morning we packed up again and threw the key in the window before heading to Pustritz to visit JK's cousin, E. She fed us an amazing lasagne and then banana splits (which JT enjoyed) before we headed outside and spent several hours eating our way through her backyard. First we started with the cherries, perfectly ripe and sweet. Then JT discovered the blueberries, then the raspberries. Then he headed back for more cherries. He was also warned by Opa not to drink water after eating the cherries. (Anybody got any leads on this? I googled "eating cherries and drinking water" and got nothing. It is common belief here, but I am not sure if other countries have the same idea.)

On the way back to Oma and Opa's house, we enjoyed the scenery. So, the plus points of the vacation this far were: amazing views, splendid spas and great fruit, friends and family! The minus points seem to be: not enough sleep and wacky weather.

Next time, I will have to blog on the interesting belief that we keep encountering: children have to learn to assert themselves at this age. And maybe JK will tell us what he has found annoying. Okay, I'll tell you now, just to end the suspense - at restaurants you have to pay around 50 cents for a little package of ketchup! :)